Tokyo Central’s Irvine store grand-opening takes place on July 26. Tape cutting ceremony was attended by (from left) Melinda Liu (Irvine City Councilmember), Koji Ichinose (Marukai Manager), Koichi Toyo (Marukai President), and James Mai (Irvine Vice Mayor) Cultural News Photo
Irvine, CA - Tokyo Central, a popular Japan-based grocer and retailer, celebrated the grand opening of its Irvine store on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Located at the corner of Freeway 405 and Culver Drive, the new store attracted several hundred customers who lined up before the 10:00 a.m. opening to receive $10 gift cards, participate in a spin-the-wheel game, and take advantage of special promotions.
The Irvine store, spanning 17,368 square feet in a brand-new building, is Tokyo Central's 12th store in California. This opening follows the December 2024 launch of the Torrance Pacific Coast Highway store, marking the company's aggressive strategy to expand in high-density areas with significant Asian populations.
Tokyo Central is operated by Marukai Corporation, established in 1965 and acquired by Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH), the parent company of Japan's national discount store Don Quijote, in 2013. The store offers a wide variety of premium imported Japanese goods, including groceries, made-to-order and ready-to-go food trays, health products, and many other specialty items. Additionally, Tokyo Central features Waka Sakura, an upscale conveyor belt sushi restaurant serving fresh and authentic Japanese cuisine.
"The community of Irvine is known for its love of Japanese and Asian goods and services," said Koichi Toyo, president of Marukai Corporation. "It is an important market for Tokyo Central as we continue to grow our presence in the specialty Asian retail and grocery sector."
Despite the 15% tariff imposed by the Trump Administration on importing goods from Japan, Toyo predicted that the company would absorb the price hikes through price adjustment.
The grand opening ceremony was attended by Koichi Toyo, president of Marukai Corporation; Akira Maruyama, Head of Overseas Restaurant and Retail Business, PPIH; Koji Ichinose, manager of Store Strategic Division of Marukai Corporation; James Mai, Vice Mayor of City of Irvine; and Melinda Liu, Irvine City Council Member.
Yasuyuki Okazone, president of Orange County Japanese American Association, is also invited to the grand opening ceremony.
Tokyo Central Irvine store is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, at 14120 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA 92604. https://tokyocentral.com/irvine
Japan-based grocer and retailer Tokyo Central grand-opens Irvine store at the corner of I-405 and Culver Drive. (Cultural News Photo)
Grand opening sale at Irvine store of Tokyo Central. (Cultural News Photo)
